November 18, 2004
Rolling Stone Magazine - Top 500 Rock Songs of all time
Some interesting choices, and as with any list, mucho room for argument.
I put their top 50 in the extended entry (still looking for a link to the whole thing).Posted by: Ted at 02:23 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Do you know the way out of San Jose?
A fourth of all Californians are thinking about moving — either out of state or just to another town — to bring down their housing costs, a new survey shows.I grew up in San Jose, California. In the mid 70's my parents sold their house and we moved into a brand new and very nice double-wide mobile home. In the mid 80's my folks sold that place for nearly three times what they paid for it new. Mobile-freakin'-homes appreciate in California!
only 19 percent of the state's households can afford the state's median-priced home of $465,000. That's a 5 percent drop from a year ago. Nationally, the median-priced home — where half cost more and half cost less — was $186,600 in September.I love California, but I've never wanted to go back. The insane cost of housing there has always been a major factor in that.
Posted by: Ted at 02:01 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Fuzzy fuzzy fuzzy
Russia is developing a new type of missile which will render the US Missile Defense Shield useless. So the reporters breathlessly claim.
Not so fast. It's not really "new" in the sense that nobody knows what it is or might be. There are very few actual "new" types of weapons throughout history, the vast majority are variations and enhancements on already existing designs. Since this is a missile, then we already know basically how it's going to work. The devil is in the details. Secondly, the MDS is designed to deal with today's threats, knowing that most of tomorrow's threats will just be better versions of what's already out there. Even if Russia deploys a superduper missile that the MDS can't handle, there's still a world full of existing threats that it can deal with. To claim that one new missile makes it worthless is like saying everyone should throw away their bulletproof vests because we've now got an Airborn Megawatt Laser system.Posted by: Ted at 07:32 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Feel the synergy?
I tell you, it's a scandal that I'm not rich already. Ideas pop out of my head like golden eggs from a goose's patoot. For instance:
Gir of Your Moosey Fate is hosting this weeks Carnival of the Cats. There's a Carnival of the Recipes making the rounds too. Who wants to host the first Carnival of the Cat Recipes? You saw it coming, but you continued reading anyway, didn't you?Posted by: Ted at 06:05 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
New and Approved!
Some links that should have been done long ago, now added to the sidebar.
Maelstrom (aka Rich), he flies rockets, which automatically makes him cool. He's also a heckuva nice guy and has a great joke up on his new blog. Derek, aka Son of Cheese. Let me tell you, this guy describes restaraunt visits like DeSade described girlfriends. His toons are first rate too! Oh, and he plays rec-league hockey! Three very good reasons to pay him a visit. Catt. I'm looking forward to meeting this funny lady and her family in the near future, since my oldest daughter will be going to school right near her neck of the woods (whatever that really means). Jenn, who's little man plays hockey. Like she says, it ain't NHL, it's better! Brian J Noggle, part of a duet with Munuviana's own Heather. He's smart, funny and interesting. In other words he's just like me, and since you're already here, who needs him, right? Wrong. There's no such thing as too much smartfunnyinteresting (although I'm still working on the weight thing). Dr. Funk -- Canadian Funk? How could I pass this up? Professor Chaos -- He linked me in a post, I'm putting him on the sidebar. Let's see if it's reciprocal. Let's see if I can spell reciprocal. Sheila O'Malley - I have no idea how I wound up on her blogroll, but I'm a sucker forPosted by: Ted at 05:35 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Contrast
Back to back tracks on a CD full of love songs:
"Kiss the Girl" from Disney's Little Mermaid "Damn, I Wish I Were Your Lover" by Sophie B. HawkinsPosted by: Ted at 04:04 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
November 17, 2004
It's a joke
I was offered up to three little kittens at work today. I told the lady that I appreciated the offer, but I already had two house dogs and they wouldn't know how to deal with live food.
Posted by: Ted at 06:38 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Deflowered
My very first ever "official" poll, over on the right column. I needed something to tabulate the thousands of votes submitted so far, although "Viagra" and "Human Growth Hormone" weren't valid choices and were immediately eliminated. Hey, is it ok for a guy to say his box was stuffed?
And I just had to add Spork's suggestion. Wish I'd have thought of that one! So vote away, and unlike some elections, it's expected that you'll vote more than once. C'mon, feed my ego. Carryout dreams are depending on you.Posted by: Ted at 01:28 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Not the herb I was afraid it might be
YOU ARE CATNIP
What herb are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Ignore that last bit about being left alone. My inner-child constantly screams for attention. Thanks to LeeAnn for the extra bit o' spice in my day.
Posted by: Ted at 09:04 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Aye, 'tis the truth ye be speaking
Over at 1000 Words, the latest photoshop contest is "What if Pirates Ruled the World?"
A full broadsides to that scurvy dog Frinklin for pointing it out.
Posted by: Ted at 05:46 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
I wish
Alan E. Brain (who you should be reading every day), proposes this curriculum for those who want Creationism taught alongside Evolution, and I'll give you this little bit before sending you off to read the rest:
In keeping with our American heritage, the primary theory being taught will be that of the Lakota Nation of Native Americans, and the majority of the course will concentrate on the roles of Thunderbird and Coyote, and experimental verification of the Theory. Students engaged in Advanced studies will perform a critical analysis and comparison of the primary Theory with that of the Arunta people of Northern Australia, in particular the concept of the "Dreamtime" and the role of the Rainbow Serpent.His last line nails it:
After all, this is about "Science" and not any particular religion, isn't it?Go. Read.
Posted by: Ted at 04:57 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Barry Bonds is the greatest player in baseball history
He just won his seventh MVP award (fourth in a row, both records), without any real protection behind him in the Giants lineup. He's third on the all-time home run list, and will certainly pass Babe Ruth this season and could make a serious run at Hank Aaron. The man gets walked intentionally more than some teams over the course of a season. His mere presence at the ballpark automatically influences the game, which no other player currently playing can say (and few in history for that matter).
And for those who think he might have cheated to accomplish this, a sportswriter puts it as well as anyone I've ever read:Yet in the absence of positive tests on Bonds and the lack of convictions in the ongoing investigation, the only conclusive evidence is the fact that Bonds is doing things at bat that simply can't be attributed to any known drug. There isn't a steroid in the world that can account for his patience at the plate as he waits for hittable pitches, or his uncanny solid contact with the ball when he does swing. His body armor lets him hug the plate, and his short, compact swing is the deadliest in the game.Bonds has two seasons left on his contract in San Fransisco, and he'll break the home run record sometime in that span. After that, if he wanted to he could sign on with an American League team (Yankees anyone?) and play DH for another ten years. Nine hundred homers isn't out of the question. I honestly don't think he'd go that route, but the possibility is there and kinda fun to consider.
Posted by: Ted at 04:18 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
November 16, 2004
Snippet of conversation
Son: "I've been drinking that crap coffee they sell by the Metro. Why didn't you tell me there was a Starbucks down the street?"
Me: "You live at home. You can't afford Starbucks."Posted by: Ted at 06:35 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
At least he gets to go out for it!Must. Resist. Snark.
Surprising Second Black Hole Found in Milky Way's Center.
Do you know how painful it is to not even mention Paris, Madonna, Anna Nicole, J-Lo or others? Ok, a small one: Just two? Oops, I did it again.Posted by: Ted at 02:45 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
My coworkers are giving me odd looks
I was laughing to near tears over this:
I mean, look, the state of Texas has a law--and it is still enforced--that says owning 5 marital aids is perfectly legal, but owning 6 is a felony. Stupid? You bet. Constitutional? You bet. And, really, I’ve never come across any situations in which more than 4 were ever needed anyway.Not what you expect to read in the middle of a discussion about Roe vs. Wade and Constitutionality. Nice ambush, Dale.
Posted by: Ted at 12:10 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Blogger Bowl 2004
The allegedly uninteresting annika (don't you believe it!) was my opponent this past week. She's also one of the Hot Jets cheerleaders, so although she's sad about being soundly spanked (sorry, couldn't resist) in front of everyone (really, it just happens), she also got to cheer and wave her pompoms to celebrate a Rockets victory! Because we know I'm all about feelgood happytimes, vaulting into 6th place is enough excuse for me to party (in public I'm gracious, in private I dance enough to make Mark Gasteneau blush).
Also of note, congrats to Daniel for knocking off the previously undefeated Fire Ants. So next week I face the cellar-dwelling Vehement Spittle, no pushover to be sure. I am equipped with my sturdy eye goggles and antibacterial spittle sponge just in case, and expect another resounding victory. And as always, because they're the best and because it annoys Victor, may I present the finest group of cheerleaders to grace a virtual sideline, the Hot Jets!annika, of annika's journal!
Denita, of Who Tends The Fires!
Gir, of Your Moosey Fate!
Tink, of Flitting Here and There!
Sarah, of Trying To Grok!
Kat, of Mostly Fluff!
Big Hair, of Left & Right!
Jennifer, of Jennifer's History and Stuff!
Heather, of Angelweave!
Margi, of Margi Lowry!
Nic, of Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax!
Lemur Girl, of... uh, Lemur Girl!
LeeAnn, of The Cheese Stands Alone!
Lynn S., of Reflections in d minor!
Susie, of Practical Penumbra!
Blogoline, of Blogoline's Journal!
Cindy, of Dusting My Brain!
Wegglywoo, of On the Beach at the End of the World!
Dawn of Dawn Enterprises!
Stevie, of Caught In The XFire!
Helen, of Everyday Stranger!
Mookie, of MookieRiffic!
Posted by: Ted at 12:01 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Yay ESA!
The first European spacecraft sent to the moon has entered lunar orbit, the European Space Agency (ESA) said on Tuesday.It has scientific experiments that it will conduct, but possibly the most important part is this:
SMART-1 has also been the test flight for a new solar-electric propulsion technology, a kind of solar-powered thruster that is ten times more efficient than the usual chemical systems employed when traveling in space. The so-called "ion" engine was tested over a long spiraling trip to the moon of more than 84 million km, a distance comparable to an interplanetary cruise, ESA said. It does not burn fuel like chemical rockets do but instead converts sunlight into electricity via solar panels and uses it to electrically charge heavy gas atoms, which speed away from the spacecraft and thereby drive it forward.Bravo, ESA!
Posted by: Ted at 10:12 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Dinah needs your help!
Last night I made a chinese chicken recipe for the first time, and broke my own rule about doctoring it right off the bat. Not only that, but I've got additional things I'm going to change the very next time I make it. I'll post the recipe next time, but for now I need a catchy name for the dish.
It's chicken, vaguely similar to General Tso's except that the sauce is pineapple based. The recipe is flexible enough to go from mild to tongue-searing. The way I made it, there was a subtle but definite heat. My son likes food much hotter than I do, and he said it wasn't hot enough. So folks, I need you to vote in the comments. I've got a few names listed, and write-ins are welcomed. Help me name this new culinary masterpiece!Should it be called:*that's "Phipps" with 3 "P"s and 4 stars, and don't you forget it!General Ted's Chicken*
Chicken Mo Fo
Pineapple FireCluck
Posted by: Ted at 05:17 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
This should automatically go on everyone's Christmas list
Lionel Trains files for bankruptcy!
Not so fast though, there's this:M.T.H., owner of Columbia, Md.-based Mike's Train House, accused Lionel and a South Korean subcontractor, Korea Brass, of getting drawings and plans for the toy train that were stolen from M.T.H. subcontractor Samhongsa, also based in South Korea.A jury found Lionel guilty, and it's the awarded judgement that's driving the bankruptcy notice. Very sad, every aspect of this is very sad.
Posted by: Ted at 05:05 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
China space plans include hundreds of spy satellites
Wheeeeeee! I'm having fun with more scary headlines.
China plans to launch more than 100 satellites before 2020 to watch every corner of the country, state-run China Central Television quoted a government official as saying Tuesday.They're gonna watch over their own country. Which is pretty much what we do too. Check it out:
A "large surveying network" would be set up to monitor water reserves, forests, farmland, city construction and "various activities of society," a government official said without elaborating.It's that "various activities of society" that makes one wonder though. Like Rocket Jones, the Chinese seem to have better success with the 'up' part of rocket launches than the 'down' part.
Last month, the retrievable chamber of China's 20th recoverable satellite returned to Earth with a bang, crashing through the roof of a house.
Posted by: Ted at 04:56 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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